Assessing the Ability of Incineration to Inactivate CWD Prions from Carcasses
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues and carcasses.
Intro/What is the issue?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues and carcasses. Disposal options for CWD-contaminated animal carcasses are limited. Prion inactivation requires high temperatures or strong chemical disinfectants. Landfill operators are hesitant to accept CWD-contaminated animal carcasses. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions. However, the efficacy of incineration in the field (e.g., using mobile incineration units) has not been evaluated.
What is the issue?
Disposal options for CWD-contaminated animal carcasses are limited. Prion inactivation requires high temperatures or strong chemical disinfectants. Landfill operators are hesitant to accept CWD-contaminated animal carcasses. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions. However, the efficacy of incineration in the field (e.g., using mobile incineration units) has not been evaluated.
What’s at stake?
Proper disposal of CWD-infected carcasses is an important consideration for management agencies to minimize the risk of infection of new hosts and prevent environmental contamination.
What is our approach?
Our approach combines the use of a field-ready mobile incineration unit with ultra-sensitive prion detection technologies, allowing us to monitor prion inactivation in incinerators within reasonable timescales. In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota, we are using the real time-quaking induced conversion assay to detect prions from incinerator ash and emissions and testing the ability of incineration to inactivate prions under laboratory conditions. Finally, we are evaluating the efficacy of mobile incinerator units for prion inactivation using infected deer carcasses.
What are the benefits?
This project will provide a quantitative assessment of the risk reduction from the incineration of CWD-infected materials, insight into the effectiveness of mobile incinerator units for safer CWD carcass disposal, and critical guidance on which to base management recommendations regarding carcass disposal options to protect cervid health. The ability to dispose of infected carcasses and inactivate prions will be a critical step forward in managers’ ability to control the spread of CWD.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease
Enhanced Capacity for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Certified Diagnostics at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues and carcasses.
Intro/What is the issue?
Chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurologic disease of cervids, presents a monumental management challenge, in part because the etiologic agent, an infectious prion, can be transmitted directly or indirectly and is extremely difficult to inactivate. As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, additional disposal options are desired to safely dispose of CWD-contaminated tissues and carcasses. Disposal options for CWD-contaminated animal carcasses are limited. Prion inactivation requires high temperatures or strong chemical disinfectants. Landfill operators are hesitant to accept CWD-contaminated animal carcasses. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions. However, the efficacy of incineration in the field (e.g., using mobile incineration units) has not been evaluated.
What is the issue?
Disposal options for CWD-contaminated animal carcasses are limited. Prion inactivation requires high temperatures or strong chemical disinfectants. Landfill operators are hesitant to accept CWD-contaminated animal carcasses. Incineration is one method used to dispose of infected carcasses and has been shown to inactivate prions in laboratory studies under appropriate conditions. However, the efficacy of incineration in the field (e.g., using mobile incineration units) has not been evaluated.
What’s at stake?
Proper disposal of CWD-infected carcasses is an important consideration for management agencies to minimize the risk of infection of new hosts and prevent environmental contamination.
What is our approach?
Our approach combines the use of a field-ready mobile incineration unit with ultra-sensitive prion detection technologies, allowing us to monitor prion inactivation in incinerators within reasonable timescales. In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota, we are using the real time-quaking induced conversion assay to detect prions from incinerator ash and emissions and testing the ability of incineration to inactivate prions under laboratory conditions. Finally, we are evaluating the efficacy of mobile incinerator units for prion inactivation using infected deer carcasses.
What are the benefits?
This project will provide a quantitative assessment of the risk reduction from the incineration of CWD-infected materials, insight into the effectiveness of mobile incinerator units for safer CWD carcass disposal, and critical guidance on which to base management recommendations regarding carcass disposal options to protect cervid health. The ability to dispose of infected carcasses and inactivate prions will be a critical step forward in managers’ ability to control the spread of CWD.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Application of a systems approach for management of chronic wasting disease
Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease
Enhanced Capacity for Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Certified Diagnostics at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center
Advancing the Use of RT-QuIC for Applications in CWD Management